A send-off ceremony for Sri Lankan athletes bound for the 5th Asian Para Games was held at the Embassy of Japan in Colombo on Monday, hosted by Japanese Ambassador Akio Isomata.
The Games will run from 18 to 24 October in Nagoya and other cities in Japan’s Aichi Prefecture under the theme “Imagine One Heart”. They will include 18 sports and about 4,000 athletes and team officials from across Asia.
Secretary to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports A.H.M.U. Aruna Bandara and Sri Lanka National Paralympic Committee President and Chef de Mission Brigadier D.K. Aludeniya (Retd.) also attended.
Ambassador Isomata urged the athletes to follow javelin gold medallist Rumesh Tharanga, who won at the 20th Asian Games last month. “There are important things beyond medals and podiums. Fair play and the pursuit of excellence to the best of your ability,” he said.